• Breast shape

• Breast size

• Skin appearance

• Nipple position

• Texture

• Sensitivity

• Menstrual-cycle-related changes

When you know your baseline, a genuine new change can be easier to recognize.

Breast Cancer Can Sometimes Have No Symptoms

This is a particularly important point.

A person can have breast cancer without experiencing:

• Pain

• A noticeable lump

• Nipple discharge

• Skin changes

Some breast cancers are discovered through screening before they cause noticeable symptoms.

That's why appropriate breast-cancer screening remains important even when you feel completely healthy.

Screening recommendations can vary depending on age, personal history, family history, genetic risk, and other factors.

Talk with your healthcare professional about the screening approach that's appropriate for you.

What Should You Do If You Notice a Change?

First, don't panic.

Instead, pay attention to the change and consider when it began.

Ask yourself:

• Is this new?

• Has it persisted?

• Is it becoming more noticeable?

• Does it occur on one side or both?

• Does it change with my menstrual cycle?

• Is there pain?

• Is there swelling?

• Is there nipple discharge?

• Is there a new lump under the arm?

Then arrange an appropriate medical evaluation.

A healthcare professional may perform a physical breast examination and determine whether additional testing is necessary.

Depending on the situation, imaging such as a mammogram or ultrasound may be recommended.

If a suspicious area is identified, additional testing may be needed. A biopsy is generally required to determine whether a suspicious tissue change is cancerous.

What About Breast Pain?

Breast pain can be scary, but pain alone usually isn't a strong indicator of breast cancer.

Hormonal breast pain is particularly common.

You may notice discomfort around the time of your menstrual period because hormone fluctuations can affect breast tissue.

Pain can also result from:

• Poorly fitting bras

• Exercise

• Muscle strain

• Injury

• Pregnancy

• Breastfeeding

• Certain medications

However, persistent, localized, unexplained pain should still be discussed with a healthcare professional, especially if other breast changes are present.

Can Men Develop Breast Cancer?

Yes.

Breast cancer is much less common in men than in women, but men can develop breast cancer.

Possible symptoms include:

• A breast lump

• Nipple retraction

• Skin dimpling

• Nipple discharge

• Skin changes

• Swelling

• Enlarged lymph nodes

Any new unexplained breast or nipple change in a man should be evaluated.

Breast cancer awareness is not exclusively a women's health issue.

When Should You See a Doctor?

Make an appointment if you notice a new or persistent:

• Breast lump

• Armpit lump

• Breast swelling

• Change in breast size or shape

• Skin dimpling

• Skin thickening

• Nipple inversion

• Nipple discharge

• Persistent nipple irritation

• Localized breast pain

• Redness or warmth

• Change in breast texture

• Lump near the collarbone

You don't need to wait until several symptoms appear.

One unexplained persistent change is enough reason to ask a healthcare professional about it.